Chapter 12 – Trapping Mr. Sinister

Valerie stopped her pacing and leaned on the window sill instead. She looked at her watch once more before darting her vision to the street. It was finally Tuesday and it was her chance to carry out her plans to once again prove her capabilities in helping her friends. However, her patience was running a bit low. The others had told her of Tang Feng’s unpredictable schedule but she knew that she wanted to face it head on, taking the challenge. She was not backing down no matter what.
“You waiting for me, Miss?” A voice asked her.
She straightened up and spotted a guy staring at her. He still had his keys in hand so he must have not been here that long. She cleared her throat quickly and began approaching him.
“If you’re sent here by them to convince me otherwise, then forget it,” The guy said before she could speak up.
“What are you talking about?” She asked, wondering how the guy knew.
“You’re with Qiao Qiao and the others, right?”
Valerie knew there was no point in lying so she nodded.
“I would’ve imagined that you guys would get more original than this. Qiao Qiao was sitting at the window sill waiting for me last time too but it was in the afternoon and not early morning like now.”
“Have anyone told you to look at others when you’re talking?”
Tang Feng had been talking and walking toward the shop. He was fidgeting with the keys and was opening the door so he couldn’t look at her at that time. He finally turned toward her and smiled. “Irritated? I’m more troubled by everyone’s attempt to drive me out of this place here.”
“Why would you want this place anyway?” Valerie asked, gesturing toward the shop.
“Then why do you guys want it so bad anyway?”
“Hmm…how about we make a deal then?”
“Don’t tell me this has to do with finding me a match.”
“Sort of.”
Tang Feng smiled. “Over-killed, Miss.”
“Name your terms then.”
“I already told them. Either let me marry Qiao Qiao or think up of a better plan to convince me. Not going around in circles like this and ask me nonsense questions.”
“You’re brutal all right.”
“I’m just honest.”
“Sure.”
“So, is there anything else that you want to discuss with me?”
Valerie flashed on her charming smile. “How about breakfast?”
Tang Feng turned on his smile also, but it was of an amused one. “Sorry. Already had breakfast. And…” He stole a glance past her before continuing. “Don’t try any smart moves. Remember that I was once a prankster.”
“But you don’t know me so…”
Tang Feng shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
Valerie watched in silence as he finally pushed the door open and entered the shop.

*****

“What about this one, sir?” Ehlo asked, pointing toward the necklace in the display case by the window.
The man’s eyes brightened. “How much is it?”
Angela moved like a storm across the room, gesturing at Ehlo from behind the man’s back. Ehlo held a hand up to her and gestured for her to calm down.
“Let me check real quick, sir,” Ehlo said, still maintaining his polite smile. He quickly pulled out a thick booklet from the compartment under the register. “Here it is. That’ll be 500,000.”
The man’s jaw dropped–literally. “Only for that small necklace?”
“It’s real,” Ehlo reminded the man, staring him down with serious eyes. “And rare.”
“Still…” The man managed, trying to correct himself for his ignorance. “I’ll just take this one here then.”
Ehlo closed the booklet and returned it to its original place. He then wrapped up the item the man wanted and quickly processed the order. Five minutes later, the man left the shop – finally.
“Aren’t you proud of me or not?” Ehlo asked, flashing on his mischievous grin as Angela joined him behind the counter.
“You scared the world out of me,” Angela admitted. “If Uncle Zhe finds out it’s gone, he’ll be furious.”
“That cheapskate can’t afford it anyway,” Ehlo pointed out. “He’s just here to get a piece to fool his girlfriend.”
“That cheapskate finally left?” Chen Yi asked, walking up to the counter.
“All thanks to me,” Ehlo said proudly, pointing to himself.
“Stop bragging,” Angela jumped in, slightly annoyed.
“What?” Ehlo asked, turning back to her. “Are you jealous I’m more famous around here?”
“Please.” She made her way to the other side of the room to continue with her inventory task again.
“What did I say?” Ehlo askd, turning to Chen Yi–who seemed to be the only one around at the moment.
“Don’t worry,” Chen Yi reassured him. “Angela jie’s just scared that you will upset Uncle Zhe.”
“Uncle Zhe’s so nice though,” Ehlo said, surprised that someone should be afraid of the old man.
“You’re only here occasionally, Huang,” Chen Yi said, shaking his head. “You’ll find out in time.”
Ehlo put on his challenging look. “Who are you scaring, kid?”
“I’m just giving you a friendly reminder since we’re on the same boat now.”
Ehlo faked confusion. “We weren’t before?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Ehlo ge!” Achel called from across the room.
“Coming!” Ehlo exclaimed, seeing Achel was waving her hand furiously for him. Then he turned to Chen Yi once more. “Sorry, but I have to go save the day again. You take over.”
“Impressive,” Chen Yi mumbled with much sarcasm as he watched Ehlo making his way toward Achel.
It was actually Tuesday afternoon and they were helping Uncle Zhe several hours before closing. Only that the pickiest customer wasn’t planning to leave anytime soon so Ehlo had to pull a trick on the guy to get him out. It was another fifteen minutes that they finally closed up and got ready to leave.
Strangely but not so strangely, Ehlo and Chen Yi had been getting along quite well recently. It was just their talk that sounded challenging but it was their way of communication that could cause misunderstanding.